Fuel Exhaustion - Cessna 404, VH-LAD, Emerald Qld, 31 Dec 2010

Summary

On 31 December, 2010 a Cessna Aircraft Company C404
Titan aircraft, registered VH-LAD, departed Alpha Airport,
Queensland, to conduct two survey flights. Onboard the aircraft
were the pilot and two navigators. The intention was to climb to a
flight level of 16,000 ft, conduct two survey runs and then land at
Emerald, Queensland. Nearing the completion of the first survey
run, the pilot noticed a fluctuation in the left fuel flow and
decided to land at Emerald. The pilot calculated that he still had
300 L of fuel onboard, but did not check the fuel gauges.

Shortly after, both engines failed and the pilot
lowered the landing gear. After securing both engines, the pilot
reduced airspeed to 115 kts which gave a 1000 ft/min descent rate
and at 14,000 ft the aircraft was 17 NM from Emerald. The pilot
then transmitted a PAN call informing air traffic control of their
position. With both propellers feathered the pilot made a forced
landing at Emerald Airport. After landing, the pilot checked the
aircraft fuel gauges which showed the tanks as empty.

In response to this occurrence, the aircraft operator
implemented the following proactive safety actions:

This incident was raised as the topic of safety during the
January 2011 internal safety meeting.

An emergency response plan has been developed, implemented and
tested ensuring company management and staff can react
quickly in the unlikely event of an incident or
emergency

All aircrew are participating in an aviation approved crew
resource training management course. Training records will be
published in relevant pilot record files.

Fuel totalisers are scheduled for fitment in both 400 series
Cessna aircraft operated by the company to provide a more accurate
means of establishing fuel used and quantity remaining.

The operators managing director has raised this serious safety
incident, with the board of directors of the parent company and has
taken steps to reinforce the existing proactive movement towards
safety, implemented within both companies.